Junior Match, Dads & LadsMay 12th 2018

With rain forecast for later in the day, the 7 pairs kicked off in reasonable weather, but as usual the weatherman got it wrong again and rain started to fall halfway into the match. We saw two new additions to the usual lads & dads teams with Dan Winfield and Adrian Trent bringing their off-springs to sample the delights of GAS team fishing, which they thoroughly enjoyed!

With a disappointing draw, Team Etherington started well, much to their surprise and kept going to remain ahead of the field until the final whistle. Paul showed that he’s kept the good form from his recent Wednesday open successes with a super catch of tench to the bomb and maggot for 31lb 8ozs with son Ethan adding the best junior weight of 18lb 5ozs of bream and tench for a joint 49lb 13oz win.

Nearest rivals were the consistent team of Dave & Michael Ewing. Dave weighed in 27lb 8ozs which included a carp of around 8lb while Michael managed 9lb 8ozs of bream and tench for a respectable second place with 37lb.

Third place went to one of the new additions, Dan and Harrison Winfield. But it was Harrison who showed his dad how to catch with a commendable 15lb 15oz of tench and bream to his dads 9lb 2oz.

Coming in fourth was the second new pairing of Adrian and Wilbur Trent who managed a joint weight of 22lb 1oz.

Junior Match, BramleyApril 21st 2018

The lake looked perfect at the start, but quickly changed as the breeze began to push surface scum across the junior pegs. With no bonus fish putting in an appearance, it was those who opted for the smaller species that triumphed.

From the off, it was Freddie Bacon who set the lead, but as he slowed up later, Jessica Carter started to catch up and it proved a close thing at the end. Freddie concentrated on the pole and maggot and took a steady stream of silver bream and roach for 6lb 10ozs for a narrow win. Jessica tried for a bonus fish but when they where not forthcoming she went onto the pole with maggot or worm and started to peg back Freddie to finish just behind with 6lb 6ozs.

We had a new addition to the junior ranks with Freddie’s sister Sky joining us and nearly upstaging the more experienced juniors. Sky just concentrated on the pole and maggot and caught a lovely net of silvers and roach for 5lb 4ozs.

There were only 5 who turned out so there were no age groups, but everyone earned points in the Sensas league.

Dad’s & Lad’s (Mum’s) Broadwater Lake31st March 2018

Eight pairs turned out on an unappealing day along the rugby/swimming pool bank, including a new pairing Darren and George Lamb, who were just about to start fishing, so having explained that the bank was booked I managed to absorb them into our regular group. It’s hoped they will join in more as the year progresses.

Favoured draws where in the middle of the bank and continuing their previous good fortunes of last year were Team Gregoriades, Marcus and Ben who drew pegs 12 & 13. While few caught, those that did saw only the odd fish, but Marcus and Ben managed three which was good enough on the day. It was Marcus who showed his team the way with two good fish, a 15lb 8oz mirror and a 10lb 2oz common while Ben chipped in with a lovely conditioned 12lb 3oz common. Their total weight proved good enough for the win.

Behind where the Carters, Dave and Jessica, who took a fish each for a total weight of 21lb 15oz from pegs 20/21. Best catch of the day was undoubtedly from George Evans, who netted a stunning 17lb 12oz common from peg 15. This was George PB, beating his previous by 12ozs! It was looking bleak in the low numbers until Finnley Newnham landed a welcome 6lb 13oz common from peg 7. Bringing up the rear, with a face-saving catch of 2 roach, were the normally reliable Team Ewing. I’m sure they’ll do better next time!